Band 6.0 IELTS Writing Task 2 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 6.0 · Cambridge IELTS 17 · 2026-09-30

IELTS Writing Task 2 question

In the future, people may no longer be able to pay for things in shops using cash. All payments may have to be made by card or using phones. Do you think this will happen one day? Why do you think some people might not be happy to give up using cash?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

 

Student answer (Band 6.0)

Some people argue that in the future world, eveything will become digital. Cash payment system will completely end and digital methods such as card or using phones will be dominant. I believe that there is a great chance that this will happen soon.

With the recent technological advancements and globalization, humans are trying their best to make everything as convenient and as fast as they can. Over the past 4-5 years, this trend has been seen in the super markets and shopping centers that now people prefer to pay using cards or phones rather than using cash. Individuals find it difficult to keep cash with them all the time. Withdrawing cash from atms seems to be a hectic job to youngsters. Gradually, small street shops are also adopting this modern payment system to facilitate people. Eventually, a time will come when cash payments will not be accepted and people will have to pay digitally whether they like it or not.

It is to be expected that some individuals might not like this change. Cash-less payments seems to be very convenient and time-saving but in case of a card issue or card scanning device malfunction, people will find it annoying to not being able to pay with cash. For example, people wait for 15-20 minutes in a queue to pay for their purchased items and head back to homes, but when they reached the counter, they are unable to pay because card scanner is not functioning and cash payments are not allowed. Additionally, older citizens who try to avoid technology and enjoy living in old fashion way, they will be forced to using these moden payment system despite hating it.

In conclusion, undoubtedly digital payment systems will replace existing cash payment system in the near future and people will have to adopt to this new system despire disliking it.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.5

The response addresses both parts of the task well. The student clearly states their position on whether cash will disappear in the future and explains why some individuals might not be happy to give up cash, specifically mentioning technical malfunctions and older citizens struggling with technology. The ideas are relevant and supported by a specific example, such as waiting in a queue only to find the card scanner is broken. While the development could be slightly more extended to reach the highest bands, all requirements of the prompt are covered effectively and logically.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 6.0

The essay demonstrates a clear logical organisation and progression throughout. Each paragraph has a distinct focus: an introduction, a body paragraph supporting the shift to digital payments, a body paragraph discussing the downsides, and a concise conclusion. Cohesive devices are used adequately with phrases like 'Additionally', 'For example', and 'In conclusion'. However, referencing is occasionally imprecise, such as 'Cash-less payments seems' where subject-verb agreement slips, and transitions can feel slightly mechanical in places. Overall, the paragraphing is used appropriately and supports readability.

Lexical Resource: Band 6.0

The student uses an adequate range of vocabulary suitable for the task, such as 'technological advancements', 'globalization', 'malfunction', and 'convenient'. There are some spelling and word-choice errors, including 'eveything' instead of 'everything', 'moden' instead of 'modern', and awkward phrasings like 'enjoy living in old fashion way'. Furthermore, repetition of words like 'pay', 'payment', and 'cash' occurs. However, the vocabulary is sufficient to communicate the main points clearly, allowing the reader to follow the arguments without difficulty.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 6.0

The essay displays a mix of simple and complex sentence forms, such as conditional and relative clauses ('when they reached the counter, they are unable to pay because card scanner is not functioning'). There are several grammatical errors and awkward structures throughout, including subject-verb agreement issues like 'Cash-less payments seems' and 'forced to using these moden payment system despite hating it'. Punctuation is generally acceptable, but tense shifts occur. These errors do not impede overall communication, placing the response firmly at band 6.0.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.